The professional and personal challenges, the high and lows, the failures and the success?

Startup Weekend is a global grassroots movement of active and empowered entrepreneurs who are learning the basics of founding startups and launching successful ventures. It is the largest community of passionate entrepreneurs with over 400 past events in 100 countries around the world in 2011.

The non-profit organization is headquartered in Seattle, Washington but Startup Weekend organizers and facilitators can be found in over 200 cities around the world. From Mongolia to South Africa to London to Brazil, people around the globe are coming together for weekend long workshops to pitch ideas, form teams, and start companies.

All Startup Weekend events follow the same basic model: anyone is welcome to pitch their startup idea and receive feedback from their peers. Teams organically form around the top ideas (as determined by popular vote) and then it’s a 54 hour frenzy of business model creation, coding, designing, and market validation. The weekends culminate with presentations in front of local entrepreneurial leaders with another opportunity for critical feedback.

Whether entrepreneurs found companies, find a cofounder, meet someone new, or learn a skill far outside their usual 9-to-5, everyone is guaranteed to leave the event better prepared to navigate the chaotic but fun world of startups. If you want to put yourself in the shoes of an entrepreneur, register now for the best weekend of your life!

Schedule

Friday, Mar 1

6:30pm Registration Starts

7:00pm Dinner & Networking

7:20pm Welcome & Speakers

7:30pm Pitches Start

9:00pm Attendees vote for the top ideas

9:15pm Teams start forming and discussing ideas

10:00pm Start to formalize teams and take an inventory of skills. Be honest, and direct about what resources and skills are needed for the weekend. You may stay and work as late as the venue will allow

Saturday, Mar 2

9:00am Arrive, simple breakfast & coffee

9:30am Teams formed and setting up workspace for the weekend

12:00pm Lunch

1:00pm Call for needs & skills

2:00pm Coaches help teams one-on-one. They are here to help!

6:30pm Dinner

7:30pm Mid weekend check-in, status reports, call for help

10:00pm Finished for the day. You may stay and work as late as the venue will allow

Cedric Francois has founded two companies in Louisville, Potentia Pharmaceuticals and Apellis Pharmaceuticals. He received an M.D. degree from the University of Leuven in Belgium and a Ph.D. in Physiology from the University of Louisville. His research has been published widely, and he is an inventor on many biotechnology patent applications. He was featured recently as keynote speaker at Venture Connectors, and is an Adjunct Professor at University of Louisville.

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